The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-26
TALES OF FRENCH MAsoNs.
,s to Prohibit Interference in
Politics,

rs to Prohibit Interference in
Politics.
Paris letter to the New York Times
Considerable feeling exists at the
ent moment among the Freemasons of
NICE against the President or Grand Mas
NJ the Grand Orient, NJ Colfavru, and
& are on foot for his possible deposition
cause of this feeling lies in an official
bmunication to the Grand Master from
Il eyaillant, the Minister of the Interior,
;ny him to keep an eye on the various
les and to issue orders pro-
Ring them from meddling with
itics any longer, the same being by N.
fayru embodied at once i'll a circular
ring date March % and transmitted to
#fiffy-five masters of the lodges at Paris.
document caused vast amount of in
nation. which eliminated in the Master
Proeress lodge, lone Of the most impor-
in Paris taking the initiative and
bmoning special meeting Of the fifty
sIVenerablesn or Masters in order to dis
not only the Objectionable circular, but
the attitude to be assumed by the lodges
#fhe Paris municipal elections. Of course
was an act of direst defiance
inst NJ. Colfavru, and the latter,
fling himself of the absolute powers
rusted to him as Grand Master of the
Ind Orient of France, lost no time in
ing the most positive commands pro-
itiHg any member of the craft from at
ding the meeting. Mindful of their
Us Of obedience, the "Venerables' obeyed,
the meeting did not take place; but the
bduct of the Grand Master and the gov
ment has aroused much indignation
itation on the subject is very otrong, not
in Paris, but in the provinces, and
Sen the fact is taken into consideration
4 more than half the members of the
hmber of Deputies are Freemasons, a
Bis of some importance may be con-
bred imminent.
N the Secretary of the Interior at Wash
ton or the Secretary of the Home De-
rtment in London were to address any
III official communication to the Grand
sters either of American or British Free
sons it would be received with blank
azement, for the lodges in Great Britain
h the United States have no more idea of
erfering in politics than the man in the
Non. In France, however, this is entirely
ferent All religious character has been
moved from the order, and M. Cofavru
cribes Freemasonry as the bitterest
"a most dreaded enemy of the church.
Ee cIe,icdlism voild peneDt5" is the
vice of almost every lodge in the
nntry. NJ Colfavru also pointed out
the recent speech that Masonry was
most formidable opponent of monarchy,
# ii had contributed more than anything
e to bring about the overthrow of the en-
Re and the establishment of the republic
Il fact, French Masonry might be called a
stinctly advanced radical institution, and
ne years ago much talk was caused by the
hle Of an edict from the Grand Lodge of
eat Britain proclaiming the separation of
fench from British Masonry and forbid
be- English craftsmen to visit French
Eges After having been a considerable
etor in the creation of the present form of
vernment,. French Masons do not un-
d arbitrarily be debarred from
further participation in poll
S; and they are not likely to sur
nder the power which they have obtained
thout struggle. Government officials in
ry large numbers in France, and espe
lily prominent politicians, are Freemasons.
the recently published memoirs of NJ.
bee, the famous chief of the detective po-
y, the author asserts that frequently
ben the police were on the track of crimi
s, delegate from the Grand Master of
eemasons has presented himself in the
ivate Office of the Judge d'Instruction to
bonn the matter was confided, and, hav-
named his master, has induced the mag
rate to throw the compromising docu-
ents into the fire, so as to prevent any
comment Masonic dignitary from be-
g convicted. 1t is said to be in large
steps have ever been taken to prose-
bite the late Minister of Finance,
Tirard, who when in office was
hairnan of the gold mining company
hich possessed neither mines nor gold, and
las shown to have issued $500, 900 worth of
Jock after the directors had been informed
board meeting that there was absolutely
b assets. Other cases of this character
ould be named to show the immense power
Masons in France. Gambetta, Ferry and
hany other Republican statesmen have
Pwed much to Masonry, and as stated above
BE majority of the Chamber of Deputies
belong to the craft. 1t is somewhat curious
bat NJ Colfavru, the President of the
Brand Orient of France, is mere salaried
Employee in the railway department of Baron
de Rothschild's Office. The post
Rhlch he holds is that of Inspector General
4 the Northern railway, for which he re-
felves $50, 900 per annum. Besides this NJ.
tolfavru is on the Board of Directors Of the
Panama canal enterprise.
A curious book has recently been pub
lshed at Paris by NJ Leo Taxi, who formerly
feld high grade in Masonry, but who has
pow forsaken the craft, owing to reasons of
political nature. The work gives a de-
Faled description of the constitution, rules
fnd rites of French Masonry, and it is GER
Eanly interesting, whatever be the facts.
From the account of the initiation ceremo-
pies at the lodge of the Grand Orient of
France one learns that there's q considera
PIE amount of clap trap connected with it
winch appears incredible and contemplate
u an American or British member of the
fraternity. The postulant," says this au
Ehof, after being conducted through a
labyrinth of passages, is finally shut up i'll
narrow little closet and is ordered to draw
up his last will and testament. The walls
ot the cell are black and adorned with
Skeletons, death's-heads and cross-bones.
There is no window, and gaslight gives a
nm light. The furniture consists of table
and stool. On the former arc placed a
,SKqll and cross-bones. Suddenly the gas
Aght Is extinguished, and sliding panel
opening IN the wall reveals cavern lighted
with sepulchral lamps A decapitated head
yIng on blood-stained napkins meets the
gaze, and voice sounding from the wall
against which the candidate leans exclaims
IN awe-inspiring tones that the head is that
u perJured brother who had disclosed
the secrets of the order. The means
employed for this trick are very sim
pie. The block on which the head
appears to rest is hollow and conceals
lhe body of the performer, who holds his
eyes shut and his mouth slightly open. The
'epuichral lamps are the result of camphor-
lted spirits mingled with coarse salt, which,
burning with greenish light, give a cada-
'erous appearance to the head. The awful